2018 Football Preview – Conference USA- Owls
Looking for 2018 Florida Atlantic Owls predictions? For as long as they are coached by Lane Kiffin the Owls will be one of the more interesting Group of Five programs. In his first season at the helm the Owls proved that they could dominate Conference USA and be exciting while doing so. They also set a program high with 11 wins so things are coming into 2018 on a high for sure.
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2018-19 College Football Preview – Florida Atlantic Owls
Head Coach: Lane Kiffin
2017 Record: 11-3
Florida Atlantic Owls Odds to win the 2018 FBS Championship: +90000
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There seems to be no reason that Florida Atlantic can’t once again be the best team in Conference USA.
2018 Florida Atlantic Owls Predictions: Team Strengths
Let’s Start With D: Lane Kiffin and the offense grabbed headlines last year but the defense was great last year giving up just 22ppg. For 2018 10 starters return
Safety Jalen Young had seven interceptions a year ago and he is one of 7 seniors that are among that returning starter group. They must have had a blast bashing conference opponents and surely want more.
Also back Azeez Al-Shaair, he only had 147 tackles a year ago. He might not top that surrounded by so much experience but the middle of the defense should be the best in the league and underrated nationally.
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Up front they have a ton of returning experience and it was a recruiting emphasis to bring in lots of talent, even from outside the state of Florida. A couple of JC recruits will push for time immediately.
Reload on Offense: Everything clicked on offense last season to the tune of 40ppg and a big key was balance. They actually rushed for more than they threw though.
That might happen again with Devin Singletary looking to top last season’s 1900 yards and a whopping 32 touchdowns. A new QB will be at the helm so handing off will make a lot of sense.
Kiffin does not get enough credit for ability to scheme. When he was at Alabama he pushed them in some modern directions and now he has a team where he can complete control.
2018 Florida Atlantic Owls Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Someone Has To Throw A Little?: Last year Jason Driskel had a lot of success as a game manager. Nobody else really saw meaningful action.
This year it will be either De’Andre Johnon or Chris Robison, combined game action – three passing attempts.
Robison has a higher ceiling but the fact that he was dismissed from Oklahoma dents his reputation and he has not seen game action for a while. Basically two unknowns coming into the season at quarterback.
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Lasty year the line paved the way for 285ypg, first in the conference and sixth best in the nation. Only the tackles return from that group.
That means the entire interior, plus the guy under center are new, they are going to have to gel quickly for the Owls to continue to be successful.
Figuring out the right combinations and how to design the right schemes will be the focus of fall camp and they have a monster of a game in the opener to let us know if they did.
Florida Atlantic Owls Prediction: 10-2
That monster opener is against Oklahoma, correction at Oklahoma. That game could mean they could be the top Group of Five program this season…if they win it. That’s a big if.
They also have another big out of conference game at UCF. It would have been even bigger a year ago but still a huge tilt for both of these building programs.
Within Conference USA I think the Owls can be perfect and that gets them to another 10+ wins before the conference championship and bowl game. This team will improve as the season goes on.
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Getting a QB in and solidified early is most important. Once they figure that out, generating some chemistry with their receivers going to be a tall task.
2018 Florida Atlantic Owls Football Schedule
- 9/1/18 12:00 PM ET @Oklahoma
- 9/8/18 2:00 PM ET Air Force
- 9/15/18 TBD Bethune-Cookman
- 9/21/18 7:00 PM ET @UCF
- 9/29/18 7:00 PM ET @Middle Tennessee
- 10/6/18 TBD Old Dominion
- 10/20/18 2:30 PM ET @Marshall
- 10/26/18 6:30 PM ET Louisiana Tech
- 11/3/18 7:30 PM ET @FIU
- 11/10/18 TBD Western Kentucky
- 11/15/18 9:30 PM ET @North Texas
- 11/24/18 TBD Charlotte
What do you think about our 2018 Florida Atlantic Owls predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2018!
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